Liquid-pumping apparatus



P. R. FINCH.

LIQUID PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 18, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet Jufiy 1, 1923.

P. RLFINCH LIQUID PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 18, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 P. 22. FIN a]! abtozmq Patented July 10, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,676,822 PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL RJFINCH, OF DES MOINES, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO ALVAH C. WHITE, OF DES .1 MOINES. IOWA.

LIQUID-PUMPING APPARATUS.

Application filed February 18, 1927. Serial No. 169,225.

This invention relates to an apparatus particularly designed for pumping water from a well and placing it under pressure in a suitably located tank from which it may be drawn from time to time for use in a home, store, or the like.

The principal object of this invention is to provide means whereby a predetermined quantity of air is drawn from a measuring chamber each time the pump begins its operation, no further supply of air being admitted to the pressure tank until the pump has ceased operation and again been started to replenish the supply of water in the tank, whereby the proper amount of air is always present in the pressure tank for cushioning the operation of the apparatus and water system and whereby waterlogging of the pressure tank isprevented.

A further object of the invention 1s to provide an apparatus of the class described in which an automatic electric switch connected with the pressure tank controls the operation of the pump through an electric motor and also operates a suitable valve for supplying a measured amount of air to the pressure tank through the pump each time the pump resumes its operation.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide an improved construction for a strainer chamber through which the water passes before reaching the pump, said strainer chamher being provided With automatic priming means.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the claims and indicated by the accompanying drawing in which- Fig. 1 is a plan View of the complete pumping apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the strainer chamber with the cover member removed, and also being partly in section.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the intake portion of the strainer chamber, on the line 5+5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the upper portion of the strainer chamber on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the ratus, indicating the switch inoperative and the air valve admitting a supply of atmospheric air to the measuring chamber.

Fig. 12 is a similar diagram showing the automatic switch in operative position with respect to the motor and pump and showing the air valve in position for admittin a charge of air from the measuring cham er thrpugh the strainer chamber to the pressure tan c.

In connection with this pumping apparatus, I prefer to employ a rotary pump such for instance as is described and claimed in Letters Patent of the United States Number 1,591,030, granted to me July 6, 1926. This pump includes a casing 15 formed with a substantially cylindrical chamber 16 and a chamber 17 communicating therewith by means of the restricted passageway 18 extending from end to end of said chambers. A shaft 19 is mounted longitudinally and axially of the cylindrical ,chamber 16, is suitably journaled for rotation in bearings such as 20, and projects at one end for connection, preferably through a coupling 21, to the armature shaft of an electric motor 22. A'cylindrical impeller 23, of less diameter than-the cylindrical chamber 16, is mounted in said chamber and is formed with a central longitudinal bore 24 through which the shaft 19 extends loosely. Formed on or fixed to the shaft 19 are one or more eccentrics 25 fitting the bore of the impeller 23, and said eccentric serves to hold the impeller eccentrically of the chamber 16 and to give it a circular orbital movement therein, incontact, with the chamber walls. when the shaft is rotated. Formed on or fixed to the im peller 23 at one point of its periphery and extending radially therefrom is a blade 26 which projects through the passage 18 and into the chamber 17. A partition plate 27 extends longitudinally of the chamber 1.7 and in this instance is arranged centrally thereof and opposite the passage 18 and in of the chamber 17 is formed with a rigid partition member 30 extending lengthwise thereof, with which the artition plate 27 has actual contacts and the free margin of said plate and also the margin of said rigid partition member are formed on an arc to provide a better fit and prevent fluid leakage between said members. The plate 27 is formed with trunnions 31 at its ends, one

- of which is shown in Fig. 8, which trunnions the blade with its mar 'ns.

are journaled in the end walls of the housing 15. The blade 26, partition plate 27, and partition member 30 together form a partition dividing the chamber 17 longitudinally into two compartments and said members extend from end to end of said chamber and the movable parts have a working contact with the end walls of the housing, so that comparative] l'ttle leakage of fluid may occur between t e The walls of the casing 15 are formed with ports 32 and 33' opening to the chamber 17 on opposite sides of the partition therein and suitably located as desired in the two compartments of the said chamber. In this instance the port 32 is employed as an inlet port and the port 33 is the outlet port for the exhaust of fluid from the pump. As the shaft 19 is rotated the cams 25 thereon cause the cylindrical impeller 23 to revolve in its orbit, having a moving contact at changing points of its periphery with the eriphery of the cylindrical chamber 16. Rs the impeller moves in the manner described, the blade 26 is caused to oscillate vertically and laterally and the passage 18 is of suflicient width permit such travel without contact of In such movement of the blade 26 1t slides on the partition plate 27, causing it to rock on its trunnions and at all times maintaining a contact at its lower margin with the rigid an annular tact point 0 its exhaust port 33 discharging thereto. As

here shown, one end wall 35 of the pump casing 15 is enlarged and forms the closure for an opening in one side of the tank with in which the pump casing is introduced. The pressure tank 34 is p rovided. preferably at or near its bottom and at a point opposite to the pump 15, with a. discharge pipe 36 through which liquid such as water may be drawn for use at any point in the system. The tank 34 preferably is formed of two major portions connected by cap screws 37 and with a gasket 38 between them. Mounted upon and communicating with the upper portionof the pressure tank 34 is an automatic electric switch device designated generally by the numeral 39. Any suitable type of automatic switch may be employed but I have here shown one which employes a diaphragm 40 which is affected by changes of pressure within the tank 34, with which the switch casing communicates through a pipe 41. When pressure in the tank 34 is reduced below a certain predetermined point, the diaphragm 40 is depressed and causes the switch member 42 to be drawn to theposition shown in Fig. 12 and to establish an electrical connection through the conductors 43 and 44 with the motor 22 whereby said motor is caused to operate and in turn operates the pumgi thus building up pressure in the tank 34. ien the pressure has been established to a certain predetermined point the switch member 4.2 is automatically moved to the position shown in Fig. 11, through operation of the diaphragm 40, thus cutting out the motor and stopping the pumping operation.

The switch device 39 also includes a movable I valve actuating member 45, which member is moved to the left, as shown in the accompanying drawing, when the switch 42 is 0perated for closing the circuit and initiating" the pumping operation; and said member 45 is moved to the right when the circuit is broken to stop the pumping operation.

Arranged in any suitable location, and in this instance shown as mounted on but not connected with the tank 34, is an air-measuring chamber or tank 46; The chamber 46 is of air-tight construction and has but one opening to its interior, which is connected with a pipe 47 and hermetically sealed. At its opposite end the pipe 47 communicates with a valve casing 48 which is mounted on the switch device 39, as by means of a bracket 49; the pipe 47 communicating with the central portion of said valve casing. One end of the valve casing 48 is arranged to communicate with the atmosphere while the opposite end thereof is connected with a pipe 50. Arranged within the valve casing 48 and controlling the passage from the opposite ends thereof, are slidlng valves 51 and 52, the valve 51 being adapted to close at times the port which opens to the atmosphere while the valve 52 is arranged to alternate with said valve 51 in closing the port' valve casing and contacts with the valve 51,

normally holding said valve 51 in open position. lVhen the parts are in their normal positions as just described and as shown in ig. 9, a passage is open through the valve casing 48 and pipe 47 to the interior of the air-measuring chamber 46 as indicated in the diagrammatic showing of Fig. 11. permitting said chamber to be filled with air at substantially atmospheric pressure, the outlet through the opposite end of the valve casing and pipe 50' being closed by the valve 52. The posltions of the valves 51 and 52 are adapted to be reversed upon operation of the switch device 39 for initiating the pumping operation, the movable valve operating member 45 of the switch device coming into contact with the valve 51 and seating said valve and opening the valve 52 against the pressure of the spring 53.. Preferably the valve 51 is provided with a separate contact member 56 arranged for sliding movement and cushioned by a coil spring 57 of greater strength than the spring 53. When this operation occurs the communication with atmosphere is cut off and a communication is established from the airmeasuring chamber 46 through the pipe 4-7 and valve casing 48- to the discharge pipe 50 as shown in Fig. 10 and indicated in the diagrammatic showing of Fig. 12.

The ipe 50 may lead directly to the pump casing ut preferably it communicates first with a special strainer and priming chamber which I have provided and shown in detail in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7. The body of the strainer chamber is designated by the numeral- 58 and is of water-tight construction. The strainer chamber 58 is provided with a removable cover 59 held in place by bolts 60, a gasket 61 being interposed between said cover and the body. As here shown, theair pipe 50 leads to and communicates through the cover 59. At its upper end and along one side, the strainer chamber 58 is provided with an intake compartment. 62, into which an inlet pipe 63 leads, said pipe 63 being connected with a well or other source from which liquidis to be drawn. The intake compartment 62 is closed except at its top,

which is overlaid by a fine mesh strainer 61, and liquid entering said compartment through the pipe 63 must pass upwardly through said strainer into the cover portion 59, which is of dome shape, thence falling into the body of the strainer device by passing through a perforated horizontal partition 64 as clearly indicated in Figures 5 and 6 by the arrows. By this arrangement all foreign particles of any size are removed from the liquid before it passes through the pump. In the lower portion of the strainer chamber 58 is a horizontally extending passage 65 which communicates at one end through the wall of the chamber with a pipe 66 leading to the inlet. port 32 of the pump. Leading upwardly from the passage 65 is a feed pipe 67 which extends a considerable,

distance toward the top of the strainer chamher and is open at its upper end for the reception of liquid contained in said chamber. Thepassage 65 also is provided with a relatively small priming opening 68 directed laterally and adapted to receive a small quantity of liquid from the lower portion of the chamber particularly for priming purposes, the main portion of liquid pass ing from said chamber member-to the pump being caused to pass from the upper portion of said chamber to the pipe 67.

A suitable pressure gauge 69 is mounted on and communicates with the interior of the pressure tank 34 to indicate the amount nections are made, as indicated in Fig. 12, to cause operation of the pump through the motor 22. Simultaneously with this operation occurs an operation of the valve devices as previously described through movement of the member 45 of the switch device, thusa tight, no more air can be drawn into the pressure tank 34 at any one operation of the pump than is indicated by the capacity of said air-measuring tank and its connections, and the degree of vacuum produced by the pump. In other words, a measured and predetermined quantity of air having been segregated in said measuring tank, a portion thereof is conveyed to the pressure tank 34 each time the pump begins its operation and no more air can be supplied thereto during said operation of the pump or until it begins its next subsequent-operation. This Prevents building'up the pressure in the tank 34 to too high a point. The pump 'in its operation thus initiated draws water or other liquid from the well or other source of supply through the pipe 63,strainer device 58 and pipe 66 and discharges it to the pressure tank 34, such operation continuing until the combined water and air content of said tank is such as to supply the needed pressure for operation of the system. When such pressure in the tank 34 reaches a predetermined point, the diaphragm 40 of the switch device is operated to cause a movement of the switch member 42 to the positlon shown in Fig. 11, thus breaking the cir-' cuit and stopping the operation of the pump. This movement also causes a movement of the, member 45 of the switch .device to the right as indicated in Fig. 9, thus permitting the valves 51 and 52 to move to the right under pressure of the spring 53. This movement closes the valve 52 and all connections to the strainer chamber, pump chambers and pressure tank and at the same time admits atmospheric air through the now open valve 51 and valve casing to the air-measuring chamber 46 by way of the pipe 47. This provides a new charge-of air at substantially atmospheric pressure ready to be drawn into the pump and pressure tank 34 upon the next succeeding initiation of the pumping operation. This cycle of movements is continued as Water is used from the tank 34 and is instrumental in maintaining a proper air cushion in said tamk and minimizing the danger of the pressure tank becoming waterlogged. The operation of the apparatus would soon cause the air cushion to be'built up in said pressure tank in the event it did become waterlogged, by a few quick successive cycles of starting and stopping the pump.

I place great importance on the method I have devised of admitting a small charge of air to the pressure tank each time the pump starts its operation, the admission of air to the tank not being continuous throughout the run of the pump but being limited by the capacity of the tank 46 which is coordinated with the ca acity of the tank 34. It should be noted t at the pipe 47 communicates with the lower portion of the late air-measuring chamber 46 so that in case any liquid ever is forced into said chamber it would soon be drawn out by operation of the pump. It should also be noted that I have provided mechanical means for-positively closing the valve 51 which admits atmospheric air to the measuring chamber, against a spring which is always strong enough to open said valve when the closing impulse is released, so that there is no danger of valves sticking or failing to I of the strainer chamber are always'under' water. In order to support that portion of the tank 34 opposite the sump 71, I have provided a bolt or the like 72 threaded at one end into a boss 73 on the bottom of the tank and provided with a lock nut 74, the lower end of the bolt 72 engaging the supporting surface in the same plane as the bottom of the sump.

It is desirable to provide the inlet pi e 63 with a check valve 75 adjacent the strainer chamber 58 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

I claim as my invention: 4

1.. A pumping apparatus comprisin a pressure tank, a ump for discharging %iquid to said tan an electric motor for operating said pump, an automatic switch communlcating with-said tank and having connections to said motor for starting the pumping o eration 'when the pressure in said tank fa s below a certain minimum-and for cutting 011' said motor when the pressure reaches a certam point, an air-measuring chamber adapted to receive a limited amount of atmospheric air and a valve device operable by said automatic switch for connect-' ing' said air-measuring chamber with the pum when the pumping operation is initsupply of atmospheric air.

2.- A pumping apparatus comprising a pressure tank, a receiving and priming chamber, a pump for drawing air and liquid through said receivin and priming chamber and discharging t e same to said tank, said receiving and priming chamber having an outlet pipe near its lower end communi eating with said tank, and a vertical feed pi e communicating at its lower'e'nd with said outlet pi and having an open end near the top 0 said chamber, together with and at the same time cutting off thea small priming opening at the bottom of said chamber communicating with the outlet pipe, an electric motor for operating said pump, an automatic switch affected by pressure in said tank and having connections to said motor for starting the pumping operation when such pressure falls below a certain minimum and for cutting off said motor when the pressure rises to a certain point,

an air-measuring chamber arranged to re- 10 ceive a limited. amount of atmospheric air, and a valve device operable by said switch for connecting said air-measuring chamber with the pump when the pumping operation is started and at the same time cutting off 15 thesupply of atmospheric air.

PAUL R. FINCH. 

